South Sudan says arrested Vice President Riek Machar attempted to stir rebellion, a development that raises fears of renewed war in the country. The government confirmed on Friday that Machar, who was detained on Wednesday, will be investigated for allegedly inciting his supporters to rebel against President Salva Kiir’s administration.
Government spokesperson and information minister Michael Makuei stated, “Machar and his anti-peace colleagues of the SPLM/A-IO, who are under arrest, will be investigated and brought to book accordingly.” The accusation has heightened tensions, with fears that South Sudan could slip back into conflict.
War Fears Amid Political Rift
The arrest of Machar has deepened the rift between him and Kiir, threatening to derail the fragile 2018 peace agreement that ended a brutal five-year civil war. Machar’s party insists that his detention effectively nullifies the deal, while the government maintains that the peace process remains intact.
The crisis escalated after reports of clashes between Machar’s supporters and government forces in various parts of the country. The government claims Machar had been in contact with his allies, urging them to rebel to prevent upcoming elections and destabilize South Sudan.
“The Peace Agreement has not collapsed and shall not under any circumstances,” Makuei said, dismissing fears that the arrest signals a return to war.
International and Regional Reactions
The situation has drawn international concern, with Kenya sending former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as a special envoy to mediate. Kenyan President William Ruto confirmed discussions with Kiir regarding Machar’s detention. Meanwhile, the United Nations has warned that South Sudan is at risk of relapsing into war.
“Let’s not mince words: What we are seeing is darkly reminiscent of the 2013 and 2016 civil wars, which killed 400,000 people,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, urging leaders to prioritize peace.
Western nations, including the United States, Britain, and Germany, have scaled back their diplomatic presence in South Sudan due to security concerns. Uganda has deployed troops to Juba at Kiir’s request, while Ethiopia, which has mediated peace talks in the past, is closely monitoring developments.
Fears of War Grow as Political analysts suggest that Kiir is consolidating power, arresting Machar’s top allies, and bringing in new figures like Benjamin Bol Mel as second vice president. Some believe Kiir’s actions are driven by the country’s collapsing oil revenues and internal struggles within his administration.
Bottom Line
As tensions continue to rise, fears of another war in South Sudan grow, both within the country and across the region. The arrest of Vice President Riek Machar has only deepened political divisions, raising concerns about the fragile peace deal.
